Marcus Mosiah Garvey, (17 August 1887 - 10 June 1940), was a publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, orator, philosopher, writer and First National Hero of Jamaica. He became widely known through his leadership as President-General of the organization known as the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (U.N.I.A.-A.C.L.). He and the members of the UNIA-ACL developed auxiliary organizations which include the Black Star Line, Universal African Legionnaires, and Black Cross Nurses. Through publication of the Negro World weekly Newspaper, Garvey presented his views in front page editorials to a global audience.

Garvey, along with several others, founded the UNIA-ACL in Kingston, Jamaica, during July 1914. On October 11, 1919, J. Edgar Hoover sent a memorandum to Special Agent Ridgley. Hoover lamented the fact Garvey had not yet committed any crime. With that memo, the FBI began its investigation into Garvey's activities.

Despite all efforts to the contrary, the organization Marcus Garvey founded, the UNIA, continues to exist to this day. You can find more information about the history of the UNIA at http://www.theunia-acl.com